The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-27
Senator Weir Tells How Anxious Coy Was
to Have Counselman's Mouth Shut.
Number Of Persons Give Testimony for and
Against the Character Of the Defend
ants-The Argument to Begin To-Day.


opened until recess was taken at noon, only to
return and resume their places after dinner. 1t
was noticed that the defendants appeared, for
some reason, less Respondent, and 1t was sup
posed that they had something in the way Of ev-
idence that would be better than the introduc :
ion of long string of witnesses as 10 reputa-
ion for honesty and integrity The court
opened with the jurymen, each with broad
palm-leaf fan. agltating the atmosphere and try
ing to be as comfortable possible.
The sensation in the way Of evidence came
from the prosecution District Attorney Sellers
rose and said the government had new and
material witness, of whom they did not
know sooner and whom they had brought here
as they could, and now asked 10 intro
duce him.
The attorneys for the defense were pronounced
in their objections, but the Court decided, upon
the statement Of the prosecutor, that the new
witness should be heard 1t was then that the
pOrtly form of Morgan III. Weir, Senator from
LaPorte, was seen coming from the throng and
moving toward the witness seat AS he took
his seat the persplratlon was seen to ooZe out of
Mr.. Coys forehead and u change came over his
features as if he had swallowed something disa-
Rreeable.
Queston-State your naIne, residence and profess
sion.
by profession. L am T. member of the State Senate
have been State Senator previous to this term; have
present member of the board of trustees Of schools
Q-when You elected a Senatorg
AIN the November election of 1884, on the Dem
ocratic ticket. | acquainted with Simeon Coy by
sight. Mr.. Coy came to my seat one morning, and
said he wanted to speak to He said, near as
have position: that he must be whore he could be
controlled and kept still, his mouth shut L cannot
give his language exactly. / believe that is
can state II. He said there danger in doing
otherwise not doing cannot give the CONVEX
sation exactly.
Q.-You may state what circumstances and what
matters had occurred prior to that time in the Senate
with refa to he of onp
The Court think you should confne this to the
speaker and the accusedl
Witness-I believe he acted assistant door
keeper.
him as one of the door keepers!
Objected TO by Mr.. McNutt in which he
vigorously supported by all the counsel for the
defense.
The Court think the testimony is clearly COM
witness-I said 1 knew of no why Mr..
Counselman should be controlled.
Q.-What did you say to him of Counselman being
charged with felony before United States commits
sonerl
Al had made chat objection so frequently
Objected to by Mr.. Brown.
Q.-What is the fact about Mr. Coy having been
frequently in the Senate chamber. conversing
selling and advising with members of the Senate dur
ing the session of 1SS0-SI4
The witness started in to make an explana-
ton, but was not allowed to proceed.
Mr.. Sel1ers-You may state what, if any charges
were made in the State Senate that charges were
pending against Mr.. Counselmanl
Objected to by Mr.. Brown.
witness-It was charged that Mr.. Counselrnan was
then rider bail to charge in connection with
the election.
Mr.. Brown-Is it not true that Mr.. Sellers on the
floor of she Senate, supported Counselman, and did
not Mr.. Bailey, his assistant defend Counselman2
The Court ruled Mr.. Browns testimony out as
irrelevant A litter went over the courtroom
the audience caught the ridiculous attitude in
which the two gentlemen had placed themselves
last winter.
Victor Nj. Backus. Isaac King, Charles Rey-
nolds and Charles w. Gorsuch testified that
Coy's reputation for integrity good.
VIM. II. Eden, popularity known Goose"
Eden, took the stand He said he received
note from Coy to meet the inspectors they
should come to the courthouse with their re-
turns the day after the election and tell the in
spectors to take them home and keep them I'M
til Thursday at 10 o'clock. the day of the can
vass. He met Mr. Becker one of the lowest
steps of the courthouse in the yard and asked
him if he had his papers, as the witness had in
structiors for him to take them home and bring
them back TO the returning board III the morn
ing.
Question.-what did he say9
Answer-He said, $50 to hell; I will attend to my
business"
Q.--You did itl
&-No, sir. ILaughter.l One of McLean's clerks
down about five minutes after to me.
Odd he do itl
Mr.. Claypool-Your instructions from Simeon Coy
in writingl
Q.-And you say that note lost while you went
fshingl
Q.-when was it you went fishingl
A.-Sometine after the election.
Q.-How many months-was it month, it
week, day-you can't give any information that
subject
Q.-What did you give him the written instructions
Al gave him my pocket-book and papers.
Q.-What is your businessl
Al am in charge of the courthouse at night.
Q-What your occupation at the time you
spoke to Beckerl
a I was at the court house.
Q-You had key to Room 59l
Al have it now. had it then
Q-You said Becker didn't tell the TRUTH
A. He said he met at the of Delaware
and Washington streets when he met me at the court
Q-Is it not true as MIR. Becker testified. that you
told him there necessity to take the papers to
the courthouse, but take them to Mr.. CoyS room!
A.-No sir; told him to take them home
Q-You followed Becker to the court-housel
Al didn't follow him to the courthouse.
Q-Haye you read Mr.. Becker > testimony on this
Ayes sir
Q-And you knew that he testified you had fol-
lowed him to the courthouse?
A-Yes and laughed at it when read it.
Q-How soon after Becker went into the court
mouse mouse was It that somebody came out and talked
About i've minutes. Somebody said Becker
haa come In and said man out there had bothered
Q-I win ask you if you didn't try 10 get Mr. Beck
er 70 take his papers to Simeon Coy'
ohm ii. Counselman took the witness stand.
AS he did so there a general movement TO
s.e the late inspector of the $ econd precinct of
the Fourth ward He stated that he was twenty
nine years old, married, and kept grocery
store, meat-shop and saloon. He said that when
the count at his precinct over, Abel Davis
took possession OF the outside tally sheets. Mr..
Davis WAS the Republican judge.
Question-State if it into your possession aft.
EDWARDS.
Answer-At the courthouse at the clerks Office
next morning about 10 o'clock, no handed it 10 me-
Q-Where was the outside tally-shee from the
time Mr. Davis gave 1t TO you4
Al took stairs to tho Circuit Court room
That a quarter past 10 Thursday, and gave il
in right after dinner.
Q-Where was the ally-sheet. far as you know.
from IL time you went up until you handed it in!
Al mad it in my outside overcoat pocket
Q.-Were you awake from tho time Mr. Davis gave
you the PAPER until you handed it the canvassing
hoard!
At was the first time. 1t didn't go out of my
possession that time.
Q-Why was it not received!
A.-Bernbamer stated there was little informality
about it and objected that il not filed out prop
erly. received it back and put it in my pocket l
D. o. mt L.l 49,. Il IL III